Mideast Africa

Defense News offers premier news and analysis of defense programs and strategies in Mideast Africa to keep military and industry decision-makers informed.

US approves $2.2 billion sale of C-130J aircraft to Egypt

The State Department has also OK'd the possible $355 million sale of air defense radar systems to the key Middle East ally.

29 hours ago

Israel launches state probe into German submarine purchase

The graft scandal surrounds a possible conflict of interest and alleged bribery involving a $2 billion purchase of naval vessels from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp.

2 days ago

Mideast Africa

Kuwait pursues corruption charges in Eurofighter plane deal

The Anti-Corruption Authority said that a major general and colonel in Kuwait’s Army would face prosecutors over their alleged misuse of public funds.

THAAD, in first operational use, destroys midrange ballistic missile in Houthi attack

The United Arab Emirates is the first to use the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System in an attack by Houthi militants. It successfully took out a mid-range ballistic missile aimed at a civilian site in the country.

5 days ago

Israel inks $3.4 billion submarine deal with Germany

The Dakar-class diesel-electric submarines will be produced by German manufacturer ThyssenKrupp and are expected to be delivered within nine years.

6 days ago

South Korea inks largest arms export deal with UAE for missile interceptor

Valued about $3.5 billion, the contract for the Cheongung II KM-SAM weapons was singed Jan. 16 during a meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Emirati Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai as they discussed economic cooperation.

8 days ago

Afghan A-29 Training

Before US pullout, watchdog warned of Afghan air force collapse

The SIGAR report underscores that American authorities had been alerted that Afghanistan’s air force did not have the capabilities to survive after a U.S. withdrawal.

9 days ago

US condemns deadly Houthi drone attack on UAE oil facility near Al-Dhafra

The attack took place a short distance from Al-Dhafra Air Base, a military installation that hosts U.S. and French forces.

9 days ago

Britain to upgrade communications on Cyprus military base

The U.K. will build a new communications facility on one of two bases it maintains on the Eastern Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus, a British Defence Ministry spokesman said.

12 days ago

Iran seeks to grow naval power as it prioritizes asymmetric warfare

Experts say the buildup of naval forces in Iran represents a rising threat to its neighboring countries.

2 weeks ago

New in 2022: A changing outlook for air warfare in US Central Command

The Air Force is pivoting to a longer-range role in the Mideast that depends on drones.

2 weeks ago

Israeli subsidiary inks first public deal with UAE for work on A330 aircraft

The Elbit Systems subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates has signed a $53 million deal to supply direct infrared countermeasures and airborne electronic warfare systems for A330 tanker aircraft.

3 weeks ago

XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss

Lt. Gen. Erik Kurilla has been nominated for the military's top Middle East job.

3 weeks ago

Satellite images show Morocco has built an air defense base near its capital

Where is it located? When was it built? What weapons does it feature? We answer that and more.

3 weeks ago

Revolutionary Guard troops

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard holds military drill amid tension

The exercise comes days after talks to revive Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers broke up in Vienna.

5 weeks ago

Year in review: Top stories from 2021

Taliban weapons seizures, aircraft competitions and Chinese military modernization projects: Here are the top stories from the year.

5 weeks ago

Iran more than doubles Revolutionary Guard’s budget in FY22 bill

Legislation for Iran's fiscal 2022 budget showns the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will receive $22 billion.

6 weeks ago

UAE suspends talks on $23 billion weapons deal with US

The United Arab Emirates has suspended talks on a deal to purchase American-made F-35 jets, armed drones and other equipment, in a rare dispute between Washington and a key U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf.

6 weeks ago

Saudi Arabia decreases defense spending to $46 billion

Saudi Arabia will spend $46 billion on its military in 2022, about a 10% decrease from the 2021 defense budget, according to the kingdom’s fiscal statement.

6 weeks ago

Egypt to host its first naval defense expo in 2022

But there’s no shortage of regional defense shows already on the books for the next two years.

7 weeks ago

Israel announces completion of security barrier around Gaza

The 40-mile barrier includes radar systems, maritime sensors and a network of underground sensors to detect militant tunnels. Existing fencing was replaced with a 6.5-yard-high “smart fence” with sensors and cameras.

7 weeks ago

Senate rejects bipartisan bid to stop $650M Saudi arms sale

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who supports the arms sale, said blocking it would further diminish U.S. influence in the world.

7 weeks ago

Lebanese general: Special forces must overcome significant challenges

Building for the future is a challenging task among constraints, crises and ubiquitous pressures, but it has become necessary.

7 weeks ago

Edge CEO: Security is no longer defined by only what you can see

Making innovation second nature is likely to become a key determinant between nation-states that progress and thrive into the future and those that face significant challenges in their efforts to self-actualize.

7 weeks ago

Egyptian defense expo highlights homemade tech to counter small drones

The Arab Organization for Industrialization and Benha Electronics each showed off their locally made systems.

8 weeks ago

France signs $18B weapons deal with UAE

The deal aims to boost military cooperation in the Persian Gulf amid shared concerns about Iran.

8 weeks ago

Egypt unveils locally made drones at EDEX 2021

The show was scheduled to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

8 weeks ago

Morocco buys Israeli counter-drone system Skylock Dome

The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces says it has intensified its counter-drone acquisitions toward improving recognition and neutralization of UAV threats.

2 months ago